BG Group has welcomed the Department of Trade and Industry's
announcement that it has been awarded North Sea Blocks 20/11,
20/12, 13/22c and 13/27 (part) in the 21st UK Licensing Round.
BG will operate Blocks 20/12, 13/22c and 13/27 (part), and
will operate the development phase of Block 20/11.
The acreage consolidates BG's position in the Outer
Moray Firth, in core areas adjacent to the Buzzard, Blake and
Atlantic & Cromarty fields.
Speaking today, Jon Wormley, BG Executive Vice President for
the UK, said:
“We are delighted with the results of the 21st UK Licensing
Round, which greatly strengthens BG's positions in the “hub” areas
where we already have significant operations. We are especially
pleased being named the sole operator of three of the blocks
and the operator of the development phase of one of them -
a recognition of BG's long-standing expertise in North
Sea exploration and production. The blocks and operatorship
allow us to build upon the excellent track record of successes
in the North Sea and to prove that there are still opportunities
available in the UK.”
Details of awards
Blocks 20/11 and 20/12 are to the south/south-east of the
Buzzard Oil Field where BG holds 19.99% equity in the southern
P986 part of the field and 29.412% in the northern P928 S part
of the field. BG (62.5% equity) will operate 20/12 with its
partner Intrepid (37.5%). EnCana (30%) will operate the exploration
phase of Block 20/11, with BG (31.25%) being named operator
of the development phase. Other partners include Intrepid (18.75%),
OMV (17.5%) and Edinburgh Oil & Gas (2.5%). The total work
commitments on these two blocks include a 3D seismic survey
and a well in Block 20/11 to test an Upper Jurassic prospect
in 2004.
Blocks 13/22c and 13/27 are located to the west of BG's
Blake Oil Field and Atlantic & Cromarty Gas Fields. BG
(50%) will operate both blocks with partners Intrepid (30%)
and Paladin (20%). Work commitments on both blocks include
seismic reprocessing and one contingent well.
Notes to Editors
BG Group is a significant holder of hydrocarbon reserves on
the UK Continental Shelf where it operates the Blake and Armada
complexes, as well as the majority of the Easington Catchment
Area fields. Drilling is currently under way on Blake Flank
and first production is due in the third quarter of 2003. In
June 2002, in an asset swap, BG assumed the operatorship of
the Atlantic Field, which is being developed in conjunction
with Cromarty, operated by Amerada Hess. First gas from the
Juno fields was announced at the end of 2002 and production
is now ramping as more wells come on stream.
BG also has interests in some 20 countries worldwide.
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